Cotswold Wildlife Park Issues Urgent Toy Recall Following Asbestos Discovery
Cotswold Wildlife Park, a popular tourist destination in the UK, has announced an urgent recall of multiple toys sold in its gift shop after tests revealed the presence of asbestos. The park confirmed that trace amounts of the hazardous material were found in certain products, prompting immediate action to protect public health.
Affected Products and Safety Concerns
The recall specifically targets several items, including a squishy stretchy capybara display box, a stretchy monster six assorted try me blister card, and a 2.2kg squishy hot colour large gorilla. According to the park, a "sand-like material" inside some of these toys may contain asbestos, leading to the precautionary recall. Asbestos is a known carcinogen that can cause serious respiratory issues if inhaled.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, the park urged customers: "We have been made aware that the following items sold at the Park’s Gift Shop are being recalled by the supplier due to a safety issue. If you have purchased one of these items, please remove it from use immediately."
Instructions for Customers and Refund Process
Customers who have bought any of the affected toys are advised to contact the gift shop via email at shop@cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk or by phone at 01993 825716. The park has committed to providing full reimbursements for purchases with the relevant batch numbers.
Detailed disposal guidelines have been issued to ensure safe handling:
- If the toy is undamaged, place it in a heavy-duty plastic bag and secure it with double tape.
- If the toy is damaged and the sand inside is accessible, use wet cloths to gather the sand while wearing gloves and a mask to avoid dust generation.
- Double bag the sand and toy in a heavy-duty plastic bag, along with the gloves, mask, and cloths, and seal it securely with tape.
- Keep children and others away from areas where the sand has been exposed until cleaned thoroughly.
Customers are instructed to return the sealed product to the store for a refund. If returning is not possible, the park advises disposing of the items in general household waste after following the above safety steps.
Background and Previous Recalls
This is not the first time the park has faced product safety issues; it had previously recalled the stretchy monster six assorted try me blister card. The latest recall underscores ongoing concerns about toy safety and supply chain oversight in the retail sector.
The park emphasized its commitment to visitor safety, stating: "We will reimburse anyone who has bought one of the items with the affected batch numbers." Authorities are monitoring the situation, and further updates may be issued as the investigation progresses.
